1984 Screening

3 area organizations aim to promote community conversations about government, facts, human rights

The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College, the Opalka Gallery at Sage Colleges, and Proctors are joining more than 140 other venues across the U.S. in screening the movie 1984 (directed by Michael Redford, 1984, 110 minutes) on April 4.

The date is the day George Orwell’s protagonist Winston Smith begins rebelling against his oppressive government by keeping a forbidden diary. Orwell’s portrait of a government that manufactures its own facts, demands total obedience, and demonizes foreign enemies has never been timelier. The goal of the screenings is to initiate community conversations about how we live at a time when it seems facts and basic human rights are under attack.

“Our current situation—in politics, in education, in the culture—has given greater urgency for us to make clear what we believe in, like verifiable facts and conversations across ideological differences,” said Tang’s Dayton Director Ian Berry. “Art has the power to spark robust exchanges of ideas, and screening 1984 now offers the perfect moment for a lively, thoughtful, and empowering evening.”

“As a college art gallery with a strong presence in the community, the Opalka is committed to exhibitions and public programs that promote discussions on the role art plays in our lives,” said Opalka Director Elizabeth Greenberg. “We are deeply troubled by the proposed elimination of federal arts funding and the use of ‘alternative facts’ to undermine our democracy. Our intent is to stimulate conversations on the White House’s proposals and what they mean to our students and visitors.”

“We’re always happy to join with other arts organizations in the region, particularly to present work that speaks truth to power,” said Proctors CEO Philip Morris. “1984 is a classic and we should all see it to remind us about the world we live in, which is as upside down as ever right now.”

DetailsTang Teaching MuseumWhen: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 4Where: Somers Room, Tang Teaching Museum, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga SpringsInfo: 518-580-8080; tang.skidmore.eduAdmission: FreeNote: A discussion follows the screening with Skidmore College faculty members: Dr. Pushkala Prasad, Zankel Chair and Professor of Management & Business; Dr. Ron Seyb, Associate Dean of the Faculty for Student Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Political Science; and Dr. Tim Wientzen, Assistant Professor of English. The novel 1984 and other books will be available at the Tang Museum Store’s Dystopian Book Sale, which runs from March 28 through April 4.

Opalka GalleryWhen: 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 4Where: Opalka Gallery, Sage College of Albany, 140 New Scotland Ave., AlbanyInfo: 518-292-7742; sage.edu/opalkaAdmission: FreeNotes: Three professors of the Sage Colleges will participate in a discussion after the film: Dr. Steven A. Leibo, Professor, History and Society, and the Sherman David Spector Professor in the Humanities; Dr. David Salomon, Professor, English; Dr. Harvey Strum, Professor, History and Public Affairs and Public Policy Director.

ProctorsWhen: 4:30 and 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 4Where: GE Theatre at Proctors, 432 State St., SchenectadyInfo: 518-346-6204; proctors.orgAdmission: $5; supports Proctors Educational and Community-related programmingNotes: 7 p.m. screening will be introduced by Daily Gazette columnist Sara Foss, speaking on the value of a free and independent press. Guilderland Huddle Action Project will present a Capital Region Action Fair, 5-9 p.m. in the Wright Family Atrium, featuring representatives from: Albany Chapter of Democratic Socialists of America, The League of Women Voters, U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus, Sierra Club, Albany Social Justice Center, Capital Area Against Mass Incarceration, Capital Region Chapter ACLU, Citizen Action of New York, Capital District Coalition Against Islamophobia, The Center for Community Justice, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, YWCA of NorthEastern NY, American Association of University Women, Pride Center of the Capital Region, In Our Own Voices, Safe Kind Inclusive Networking, Schenectady Inner City Ministry, The Open Door Bookstore, Electric City Food Co-op

Julie Kottakis comes to Schenectady Recording album at Pretty Much the Best Comedy Show at Proctors Pretty Much the Best Comedy Show with Julie Kottakis 8 p.m. Saturday, March 31 Underground at Proctors 432 State Street, Schenectady 518.346.6204, proctors.org $15 advance, $20 day of SCHENECTADY, N.Y.—MARCH 15, 2018—Juggling the roles of being a... Read more » ... Read More

Movies at The Addy at Proctors Still time to catch some of the biggest Oscar® nominees and winners SCHENECTADY, N.Y.—MARCH 12, 2018—The Addy at Proctors is fast becoming the hippest little art cinema in the Capital Region. The 100-seat theatre is intimate and engaging—the perfect spot for fine film. Of... Read more » ... Read More

Proctors announces new concert series, Capital Records Live Inaugural event showcases local musicians performing two classic albums from The Beatles SCHENECTADY, N.Y.—MARCH 6, 2018—With a little help from world class musicians across the region, Proctors and WAIX 106.1 are teaming up to present a new concert series highlighting classic albums performed by local artists. Capital Records Live debuts 7:30 p.m. Friday,... Read more » ... Read More

Legendary band The Chieftains celebrate milestone at Proctors 55th Anniversary Tour lands in Schenectady just before St. Patrick’s Day 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 13 SCHENECTADY, N.Y.—FEBRUARY 28, 2018—“55 years, wow, where have they gone, as we’re still going strong?” asks Paddy Moloney, leader of six-time Grammy Award® winners, The Chieftains.... Read more » ... Read More